Polarized electrolytic couple



Dec. 13, 1932. s. RUBEN v 15891206 POLARIZED ERLECTROLYTIC COUPLE orgirmlA Filed Jane 22. y1927 gvwentoz SAMUEL Russ/v I ,71.8 @Hof/mui am@ MQ-JN Patented 13, 1932 lytically conductive couples, and more parlayer of a crystalized electrolyte, the spacer of an electrical couple of this type that is low nium borate and isernia AUNITED STATES PATENT ori-Ica SAMUEL RUBEN, OF NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO RUBEN CONDENSEB COMPANY, OF NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK, A CORPO- BATION OF DELAWARE Y l POLARIZED ELECTROLYTIC COUPLE A.Application led June 22, 1927, Serial No. 200,753. Renewed November 17, 1931.

body such as a cloth, are immersed in a molten solution at about 200 F. of a mixture of boric acid crystals, borax crystals and glycerin, the glycerin being added to facilitate the impregnation of the spacer, a vacuum beingA then applied when the occluded gases are exhausted, the mixture completely impreg-` nating the spacer material. S0 treated, the device has a relatively low electrical resist ance.

When the device has been allowed to dry and cool, a potential is applied to the elecytrodes to effect the formation of a resistancefilm at the electrolyte contact withthe anode. The electrostatic capacity of this 4couple at l2 volts is about .5 microfarads per square centimeter of contacting area.

For the impregnating crystallized electrolyte, I prefer a mixture of substantially the y following composition rby weight, 12 parts 70 bor'ax crystals, 10 parts boric acid crystals,

4 parts water and 1 part glycerin. This mixture is practically in a'solid form at normal temperature.

For the electrodes aluminum is preferred 75 because of its electropositive character and the high decomposition potential of its compound and its relatively low cost'; other elec tropositive materials, however, such as magy nesium, can be employed. With magneslum, a crystallized electrolyte of potassium fluoride should be used. Lead makes a very suitable calliode element;'but other metals are applica e.

This invention relates to polarized electro-y ticularly it relates to couples of the electroiytic cell type, adapted especially for use as lightning arresters.

rllfhe object of the invention is the provision in cost of construction .and highly eflicient.

' For many industrial applications, it is important to have a device aiiording protection of electrical circuits against the effects of transient discharges of abnormal frequency and potentials of abnormal values.

While this couple is applicable to the various uses to which couples of this type are applied, it is for use as a lightning arrester that the device of my invention is especially designed. For practical uses it is desirable to operate a plurality of these devices arranged in series when an equal distribution of potential throughv the elements must be maintained, especially where used for the protection of power circuits. In devices of the electrolytic 4cell type, provision should be made for the maintenance of the dielectric film electrolytically formed on theI electrode surfaces. In lightning arresters of the prior art employing` fluid electrolytes this important factor is not present.

In the device' of my invention I employI film-forming metal electrodes contacting with a spacer with a film-maintaining being composed of a cellulose material,

such as paper, .which is vthoroughly im-v Due to the highfeontact resistance of .the pregnated with and suspends lthe crystal electrolyte in the form described and the 1mpregnated spacer suspending and maintaining the electrolytein even distribution over the electrode surfaces, the resistance 1s of uniform value overthe surfaces and there is no tendency to current discharge localization and hence a breakdown of the device, as occurswith the liquid type couples of the prior electrolyte. The electrolyte used in the device particularly described is a crystal mixture of boric acid crystals and borax crystals with a small amount of glycerin and water in a somewhat plastic state. Although the specific example of the electrolyte used in the present invention includes borax crystals as the salt other salts of the acid used, such as, for example, boric acid, can be used in carrying out the present invention. Examples of such salts are ammootassium borate.

Two electrode p ates, having therebetween a spacer of absorptive paperfor a retcular art. v l

For a better understanding of the inven- 95 tion reference is made to an embodiment thereof as illustrated by the accompanying drawing of a, device particularly adapted as alightning arrester, 1n which 1 and 2 represent the aluminum electrodes separated by a 00 l paper spacer impregnated with an electrolyte couplel the combination with film-.forming composed of acr stalline compound of borax, electrodes, of a crystallized electrolyte comboric acid and g ycerin, 3. The areas of the prising the products resultin from heating electrodes contacting with the electrolyte are to a temperature of about 90 a mlxture in- 5 coated by a high resistance filmformed by cluding a glycerol, boric acid and a borate:r

a reaction between the two elements. Thev 8. In ay polarized electrol tic conductive electrode terminals are re resented at 4 and 5. couple the combination wit film-forming While the invention lias been described electrodes, of a spacer positioned between specifically for use as'a lightning arrester, it s aid electrodes impregnated with a crystal- 1` is capable of use wherever polarized couples lized electrolyte comprising the products rel are applicable, for example, as electrostatic sultmg from heating to a temperature of condensers. A about 90 C. a mixture including a glycerol,y

What I claim is: boric acid and a borate. y I 1. In a polarized electrically conductive 9. A crystallized electrolyte for a polarcouple, the combination with polarized aliiized electrolytic conductive couple, compris- 9 minium electrodes, of a spacer positioned being Ithe products resulting from heating .to a tween the electrodes and composed ofabrous temdperature of about 90 C. a mixture insheet material im regnated with a mixture clu in a glycerol, boric acid and a borate. of a crystallized fi -maintaining electrolyte 10. crystallized electrolyte for a polar- `containing boric acid and borax crystals and ized electrolytic conductive cou e, includf8: acting as a suspension medium for the elec-' ing the products resulting from. eating to a. trolyte. temperature of about 200 F. a mixture of 2. In a polarized electrically conductive boric acid, a salt thereof and glycerin. \couple, the combination with film-forming Signed vat the city of New York in the *5 electrodes, of a spacer positioned between the .count of New York and State of New York 9 electrodes and composed of a cellulose matethis lith day of June A. D. 1927. rial impregnated with a mixture of a crysl SAMUEL RUBEN. tallized electrol, containing boric'acid and 4 a neutral salt thereof and acting as a suspension medium for the electrol i v '05 In a polarized electrically vconductive couple, the combination with film-forming electrodes, of a spacer positioned between the electrodes and lcomposed of a cellulose mate- A rial impregnated with a mixture of a crystal- 10 lized electrolyte containing borax crystals and boric acid and acting as a suspension medium for the electrolyte.

.. a polarized electrically conductive `0 couple, the combinationwith film-forming 105 electrodes, of a spacer positioned between the electrodes and composed of a cellulose material impregnated with' a mixture of a filmmaintaining crystallized electrol containing boric acid and a salt thereo the spacer .A no :ucting as a suspension medium for the mix- 5. In a polarized. electrically conductive couple, the combination with polarized aluf minum electrodes, of a spacer positioned bei n tween the electrodes and composed of a cellii- .lose material impregnated with an acidified -maintaining electrolyte containing a crystallized mixture of boric acid crystals lvNi and crystals of a salt thereof. i 12 6. In a polarizedv electrically conducting couple, the combination with film-formin Ielectrodes,.of a spacer positioned between the electrodes and composed of a cellulose ma- 00 terial impregnated with-a mixture of a filml 125 `forming crystallized electrolyte containin ric acid crystals and borax crystals witg a ilatively small amount ofglycerinfand wa r.

es .7. In a polarized -electrolytic conductiveA l i "o 

